First Reading: Romans 6:19-23 Brothers and sisters: I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your nature. For just as you presented the parts of your bodies as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness for lawlessness, so now present them as slaves to righteousness for sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness. But what profit did you get then from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit that you have leads to sanctification, and its end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6 R. (Ps 40:5) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night. R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. He is like a tree planted near running water, That yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. For the LORD watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. Gospel: Luke 12:49-53 Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” NAB My initial reaction to this passage from Luke is one of incredulity. Isn’t Christ the Prince of Peace? Doesn’t He come to unite, not divide? But, the truth is, He isn’t the one dividing. We are. He offers peace. He offers truth. He offers love. But He can be rejected. Nothing saddens my heart quite like watching family and close friends turn away from Christ and His teachings. I want them all to know the peace, freedom and love that comes from following Him. But they have their choice. They can choose to reject. And sometimes that rejection involves me too. I have had to decline the request to witness something other than the truth, even though my witness was greatly desired by someone close to me. For Christ calls me to witness to the truth above even the esteem of my loved ones. It caused a rift between us and certain topics are now taboo. It is never easy, but we are sometimes called to choose Christ even above our parents, spouse, children, and close friends. I’ve also watched a dear friend of mine witness to the truth and undergo complete rejection to the point of being slandered because of her witness. But she refuses to back down. It hurts; she desires reconciliation. But she would rather be rejected by her friend than turn away from the truth of God’s love that she shared with this friend. She chooses Christ. She will not reject Christ for the love of her friend. Sisters, this is never easy. It is not enjoyable walking out of that movie that is more a porn flick than wholesome entertainment. It is not pleasant having that conversation about why contraception is sinful. It is not fun turning down the offer to ride the rollercoasters with the rest of the family on Sunday morning so that you can attend Mass. The road of rejection is never one we wish to travel, but we have to allow for that possibility in order to fully embrace Christ. Our hope and anchor? That truth and love will prevail. Christ can give peace even in the midst of the storm, even in midst of division. Lean on Him and trust in His promises. His love is constant. [bctt tweet="Christ can give peace even in the midst of the storm."] Offer a prayer to God today asking Him for strength and perseverance when and if you are called to stand up for your Faith at the expense of other relationships. Ask Him to give you the strength to always seek Him first. Laurel Muff is a creator and appreciator of beautiful things. She resides with her husband and daughters in Northern California. You can find more about her here.

First Reading: Romans 6:12-18 Brothers and sisters: Sin must not reign over your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires. And do not present the parts of your bodies to sin as weapons for wickedness, but present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life and the parts of your bodies to God as weapons for righteousness. For sin is not to have any power over you, since you are not under the law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Of course not! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, although you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient from the heart to the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted. Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 124:1B-3, 4-6, 7-8 R. (8a) Our help is in the name of the Lord. Had not the LORD been with us, let Israel say, had not the LORD been with us– When men rose up against us, then would they have swallowed us alive; When their fury was inflamed against us. R. Our help is in the name of the Lord. Then would the waters have overwhelmed us; The torrent would have swept over us; over us then would have swept the raging waters. Blessed be the LORD, who did not leave us a prey to their teeth. R. Our help is in the name of the Lord. We were rescued like a bird from the fowlers’ snare; Broken was the snare, and we were freed. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. R. Our help is in the name of the Lord. Gospel: Luke 12:39-48 Jesus said to his disciples: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” NAB Today’s readings remind us that we have been entrusted with much. But with that gift comes a responsibility: We are asked to forsake the slavery to sin and become slaves to righteousness, servants of a faithful master. But like the bad servant, I often find myself turning to the masters of this world—taking more account of obligations and commitments and to-do lists than preparing my heart for Jesus. I have the best of intentions and check all the boxes, but am I really making myself a slave to righteousness? Or am I more like a slave to obligation? When I become a slave to obligation, I find that even going to Mass or Confession or a Holy Hour starts to feel like just another thing I need to get done. There are days when I go to adoration and sit thinking about what I need to get done at work tomorrow or get at the grocery store. Rather than laying these earthly concerns Jesus’s feet, I stew on them and sink deeper into slavery to the wrong masters. Thankfully, the First Reading and Psalm remind us that in serving God, there is true freedom. When my to-do list is exhausting and I find myself running late, dropping the ball, and unable to get it all done, I am shackling myself to the cares of this world. When I have made my heart a place for Christ, I know that I cannot do it on my own, even when the list is the same. It is by the grace of God that the work gets done. The priorities become clearer. It becomes easier to know when to say no, go home, shut the door, and sit quietly with God. Jesus doesn’t require a pristine home and a welcome mat that you made after finding it on Pinterest. Jesus requires merciful hearts that welcome Him into our days, every day, awaiting His will. [bctt tweet="In serving God, there is true freedom."] How can you serve God rather than earthly masters today? Spend a few extra minutes in quiet today, opening your heart to Jesus. photo by Sara Miller Brigid Hogan loves the view of the Washington Monument from her apartment, her standing desk, the Green Bay Packers, and a good mystery. She tolerates taking the Metro to the office, where she works as a communications consultant. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Romans 5:12, 15B, 17-19, 20B-21 Brothers and sisters: Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned. If by that one person’s transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. For if, by the transgression of the one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ. In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one the many will be made righteous. Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 40:7-8A, 8B-9, 10, 17 R. (8a and 9a) Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin offerings you sought not; then said I, “Behold I come.” R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!” R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know. R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. May all who seek you exult and be glad in you, And may those who love your salvation say ever, “The LORD be glorified.” R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. Gospel: Luke 12:35-38 Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.” NAB My sin increases daily. When I get to the end of the day and do my quick examination of conscience before I try to sleep (while praying that I get a few hours of sleep before the baby wakes to nurse), I know my own sinfulness. I struggle so much with my impatience with my kids, with my selfish desires to please myself, my desire to eat more food, my comparison of myself to others, my disastifaction with the daily grind, and so on. After my examination of conscience, I pray an act of contrition. I tell God my sorrow for my sins, and I ask Him for His forgiveness. Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more. I like to think of grace overflowing, of it washing over me in my sinfulness, cleansing me of my sins. The worse of a sinner I am, the more grace overflows to bring me back. It is utterly humbling to receive this gift. Where would I be without grace? I often don't see it as I go through my day, but lately I have been seeing it change me. Grace is overflowing in my life. Since my fourth baby was born several months ago, I have realized more fully my complete weakness and inability to accomplish anything without grace. I would like to have it all together, but I fail daily. When strangers tell me that I have my hands full, I simply reply, “Yes, yes, I do.” But the grace overflows all the more. While my sinning never stops, grace is making me better. I am losing myself to grace. When I am having trouble, it is often because I have forgotten to ask for help. But when I take the time to admit my weaknesses and pray to be better, the grace overflows all the more. [bctt tweet="Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more."] What graces do you need today? Do not let your habitual sins overcome you, for God is simply waiting for you to ask for His help. Make an examination of conscience part of your daily routine, and grace will overflow all the more. photo by Sara Miller Susanna Spencer once studied theology and philosophy, but now happily cares for her three adorable little girls, new baby boy, and her dear husband in Saint Paul. She loves beautiful liturgies, cooking delicious meals, baking amazing sweets, reading good books, raising her children, casually following baseball, and talking to her philosopher husband. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Isaiah 53:10-11 The LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you. R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16 Brothers and sisters: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. Gospel: Mark 10:35-45 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." NAB The other day I was talking to a friend who was going through a difficult time in her life. As she shared with me the temptation she was trying to overcome, my heart went out to her because I went through something similar when I was younger. I knew the struggle. I knew the pain of feeling weak. It made me much more compassionate and understanding of what she was going through. This comes to mind because the Second Reading speaks of Jesus saying, For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. It baffles my mind that God’s love for us is so deep that He sent His only son to save us. Because Jesus took on human flesh and was “tested in every way,” He knows what it feels like to experience temptation, fear, anger, betrayal, abandonment, pain, and suffering. When He says, “I know what you are going through,” He truly knows! But as the Gospel tells us, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." Jesus came to pay our ransom and because He knows what we are experiencing, His heart is filled with tenderness and mercy. He understand that we are weak, that we struggle, and at times, we fail. He wants to free us from our sin. He wants to fill our heart with love, mercy, strength, and the grace to move forward and grow. Surrender yourself to Jesus. Let Him take care of you. In turn, you will be an instrument of mercy to those around you so they too may rest in his love. [bctt tweet="Surrender yourself to Jesus. Let Him take care of you."] When you are feeling weak, turn to Jesus. Close your eyes and let Him embrace you. Hear Him whisper to your heart, “My little one, rest in me. I will refresh you and bring you peace. You are not going through this alone. I will see you through.” photo by Sara Miller Bobbi Rol is a wife, a mama of four and a blogger learning to love God in the midst of dishes, laundry and swinging light sabers. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Romans 4:13, 16-18 Brothers and sisters: It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, as it is written, I have made you father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist. He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 105:6-7, 8-9, 42-43 R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever. You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! He, the LORD, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever. He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations – Which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever. For he remembered his holy word to his servant Abraham. And he led forth his people with joy; with shouts of joy, his chosen ones. R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever. Gospel: Luke 12:8-12 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” NAB Does anybody else shift a little uneasily at Jesus' words in the Gospel today? You too? Oh good I am not the only one! It's like when one of your parents gives you "the look" when you're out in public as a little child, but you still are trying to pretend it was not meant for you. I got that look a lot growing up. (WINK) Even though it does make me feel highly uncomfortable, deep down I know Jesus is talking to me . . . to each of us. What does it look like to deny Jesus before others? It can be anything, but deep down if we are honest, we all have. Sometimes it happens so quickly and with such ease I don't even notice it. Whether it's not speaking up when someone is criticizing something about Church teaching or not quietly saying grace for fear of being labeled "the religious freak." Even when I pull a Saint Peter and deny Jesus, I know deep down I want to live a different way. When I am fully relying and trusting the Holy Spirit, there is less room for me to be like Saint Peter but rather more like Stephen. I always think of Saint Stephen's martyrdom whenever I hear these words of the second part of today's Gospel reading: "Do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at the moment what you should say." Like Saint Peter, we struggle in denying Jesus because we are so self-reliant on ourselves instead of being totally dependent on the Holy Spirit like Saint Stephen did. When we trust the Spirit more and ourselves less, we allow God to grow more deeply in each of us. [bctt tweet="Trust the Spirit more and ourselves less"] Are there areas of your life right now wherein you are too self-reliant and not fully relying on the Spirit? What would it would look like in your life right now to trust the Spirit more and yourself less? Really think about it. Look up and pray from your heart today the Veni Creator Spiritus prayer. Ask the Spirit for more trust and less of you. photo by Sara Miller Patty Hubbard is a wife, writer, and youth minister. When not fundraising for World Youth Day, she is learning to cook more than your average Lean Cuisine and training for her first half marathon. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Romans 4;1-8 Brothers and sisters: What can we say that Abraham found, our ancestor according to the flesh? Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works, he has reason to boast; but this was not so in the sight of God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. A worker’s wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due. But when one does not work, yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. So also David declares the blessedness of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 32:1B-2,5, 11 R. (see 7) I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation. Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile. R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,” and you took away the guilt of my sin. R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart. R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation. Gospel: Luke 12:1-7 At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees. “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” NAB Last spring, my ten year-old cousin discovered a small bird's nest, filled with three eggs, sitting on the sill of his bedroom window. Immediately, he informed all of us that he had been favored to receive such an amazing front row seat to this process of bird hatching. Over the next several weeks, my cousin sent us countless pictures and updates on the state of the eggs. A usually boisterous, life-of-the-party little boy had become so tender toward these little birds-to-be. As soon as he arrived home from school each day, he darted up the stairs to his room to check on "his" eggs. He bid the eggs goodnight and good morning, and made sure the nest was secure. Imagine, then, his excitement when he saw three new baby birds in the nest, surrounded by their cracked shells. It was pure elation. This devotion of his continued for a few more weeks as the baby birds grew and eventually left the nest. During this time, my heart warmed as I watch this baby cousin of mine dedicate his time and energy to watching over a little nest. I couldn't help but think of God the Father, and see a glimpse of His providence in the love of my cousin. Today's Gospel always brings to mind the Spring of the Baby Birds, and I am left feeling seen. Seen by a God who loves me. Seen by a Father who knows the details of me more intimately than anyone else. Seen by a Lord who came to earth just for me. Seen by a Spirit who walks before, beside, and behind me during every mundane moment of my day. Seen by a generous God, who always notices little ol' me. We need to be seen, don't we sisters? Especially in today's screen-saturated culture, it appears that we can pass 100 people a day without anyone looking up and looking at us. We often feel insignificant in our duties—overlooked at work, unworthy of a valiant mission, valueless as a stay at home mom, without direction as a single person, small in our prayer and inadequate in our purpose. But this is not seeing our lives and our very selves with the eyes of Almighty God. Because He sees us with the eyes of a Father and a Lover. Let's remember this today, gals, as we go about our various commitments and at times, feel small and unnoticed. Because Jesus sees, He knows, He counts, and He notices you. [bctt tweet="Because Jesus sees, He knows, and He notices you."] We often feel insignificant in our duties—overlooked at work, unworthy of a valiant mission, valueless as a stay-at-home mom, without direction as a single person, small in our prayer and inadequate in our purpose. But this is not seeing our lives and our very selves with the eyes of Almighty God. Because He sees us with the eyes of a Father and a Lover. photo by Sara Miller Olivia Spears is a middle school religion teacher turned SAHM who is married to her high school best friend. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Romans 3:21-30 Brothers and sisters: Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his Blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed, through the forbearance of God– to prove his righteousness in the present time, that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. What occasion is there then for boasting? It is ruled out. On what principle, that of works? No, rather on the principle of faith. For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Does God belong to Jews alone? Does he not belong to Gentiles, too? Yes, also to Gentiles, for God is one and will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm130:1B-2, 3-4,5-6AB R. (7) With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption. Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication. R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption. If you, O LORD, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption. I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word. My soul waits for the LORD more than sentinels wait for the dawn. R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption. Gospel: Luke 11:47-54 The Lord said: “Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say. NAB "Joan, you are marching at least a full step ahead of everyone else in your row. Can't you see that?" my band director yelled over the sound of the booming drumline. "I honestly didn't know I was doing that," I shouted back as I could feel tears forming in my eyes, "but I will do my best to not let it happen again," I added as I looked down at my feet trying to get back in step. In today's Gospel we find Jesus acting like my band director as He calls out the scholars of the law. While Jesus' words did not offer suggestions for how to march in a straight line, they did speak truth: the scribes and Pharisees' current ways of life were not helping themselves or the people they were preaching to get closer to Heaven. Have you, my dear sisters, ever had a moment where someone called you out for doing something? Whether it was a spouse, friend, family member, or coworker, what impact did that encounter have on you? As I think back to my experience, I remember feeling embarrassed for being singled out, but I also felt thankful. Had my band director not brought my poor marching to my attention, I would have kept marching a step ahead of everyone else which, let's be honest, does not look good. Thankfully, my band director spoke the truth to me, which isn’t always an easy thing to do. And so, my dear sisters, on this feast day of Saint Teresa of Avila, may we have the courage to share our faith with others and to remember her words: "Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.” [bctt tweet="Christ has no body but yours."] What can you do today to help bring Christ to others? photo by Sara Miller Joan Geiger is a North Dakota native and newlywed, and in her spare time she can be found going on adventures with her husband, working as a Registered Dietitian, and drinking coffee. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Romans 2:1-11 You, O man, are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment. For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things. We know that the judgment of God on those who do such things is true. Do you suppose, then, you who judge those who engage in such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you hold his priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience in low esteem, unaware that the kindness of God would lead you to repentance? By your stubbornness and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God, who will repay everyone according to his works, eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in good works, but wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness. Yes, affliction and distress will come upon everyone who does evil, Jew first and then Greek. But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, Jew first and then Greek. There is no partiality with God. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 62:2-3, 6-7, 9 R. (13b) Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works. Only in God is my soul at rest; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all. R. Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works. Only in God be at rest, my soul, for from him comes my hope. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed. R. Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works. Trust in him at all times, O my people! Pour out your hearts before him; God is our refuge! R. Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works. Gospel: Luke 11:42-46 The Lord said: “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.” Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.” And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.” NAB Well, Saint Paul . . . I don't really know how I can top that. If there was such a thing as a mic drop, the book of Romans would be it. I often wonder how Saint Paul would get along in modern times—how would he be received in the days of Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and so many others. Would he have a blog? Could he get his letters into 140 characters? Would he use hashtags? #raginginrome #judgesgonnajudge #whathappensindamascus #blindedbythelight Probably he would be pulling his hair out as the online world goes about just like the Romans. Making websites meant only to tear apart coworkers, classmates, or people you've never even met. How would he confront cyberbullying or unfair search algorithms or inconsistent news coverage? Would he have a smartphone? As fun as it is to speculate whether he'd accept the Kindle or not, the message is no less important. Here Saint Paul tells us in no uncertain terms . . . #knockitoff. All that judgement, all that bickering, all that unhealthy talk and thought that does nothing to create or foster a Christian life or community . . . #knockitoff. I think it's easy for us to distance ourselves from what we portray online. We're not actually saying things to someone's face so somehow it becomes easier to make assumptions and cast aspersions on their actions that we'd never dream of saying to their face. We argue over heated topics forgetting a real person is on the other side of that cyberspace. We snap pictures and make tweets filled with snark and indifference. We criticize the lives of people we've never met, and we demand media fodder that creeps more and more into people's personal lives. We use private forums and private messages to pass notes in class. Y'all, Saint Paul wants you to #knockitoff. God wants you to #knockitoff. It doesn't matter that it's just online. It doesn't matter that "no one will ever see it." It doesn't matter if you just meant it as a joke. This is not how we're supposed to live. This is exactly why the Romans were asking for the #saintpaulsmackdown. The times have changed, the means and methods have changed, but clearly our faulty human nature hasn't evolved very far. Friends, we are meant to be better. We're meant to respect privacy. We're meant to be generous. We're meant to be careful with our words. We're meant to shut down those screens when something is causing us to act like those Romans. [bctt tweet="We're meant to shut down those screens when something is causing us to act like those Romans."] God will give back according to our work, let's not assume He ignores the works we do online. Are you proud of how you act online? photo by Sara Miller Molly Walter is a wife, mother and homemaker (with a pesky job outside the home). She shares about making the life she wants with the life she's been given over here.

First Reading: Romans 1:16-25 Brothers and sisters: I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. For in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous by faith will live.” The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and wickedness of those who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them. Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse; for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. While claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of mortal man or of birds or of four-legged animals or of snakes. Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5 R. (2a) The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God. Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; Through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message. R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God. Gospel: Luke 11:37-41 After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.” NAB I recently gave my fridge the deep clean. The one where everything is removed and dumped if past its prime or growing a new species. Then, of course, the hands and knees scrubbing begins. It’s a chore that I dread but hope to accomplish quarterly; if I’m honest with myself, it’s more of a bi-annual event. It just tends to be something I shrug off with a “Nobody’s gonna even look in there” attitude. You may be wondering how this gross revelation of mine is relevant to our Catholic faith. Well, trade this nasty fridge for our hearts. I find I often fall into that same attitude knowing that yes, God looks in there, but not always acting like it. How often do we keep our outside actions looking pretty clean, but on the inside we allow our hearts to get layered in slime? The reigns on our actions and words might be mostly controlled , but how about our thoughts and the wanderings of our hearts? What we plant is what we sow, even when it’s hidden from human view. When we allow our “inner cup” to get all scummy, with no time or effort taken to wipe it out occasionally, we’re allowing sin to have a foothold there. Even if nobody comes to look inside and see that slime, it is there. As Christians our aim is higher. God truly wants us to shine on both sides of our cup. Take time to wipe the grime from the inside of your cup. Our Lord deeply cares about each of our hearts and has shown us goodness in the teaching of the Church and the grace of the Sacraments. He is there waiting for us to partake in this goodness and to help heal our hearts from sin, to cleanse us from our crud. Don’t be hesitant to receive this gift straight from the heart of Jesus. He longs for you to be free of grime and full of His love. [bctt tweet="God truly wants us to shine."] If you don't already, begin making a nightly examination of conscience, remembering to recall your thoughts of the day. I really like this list by Father Peter Carota as a way to get started. photo by Sara Miller Sarah Ortiz is a Catholic convert, and when not folding laundry, she can be found reading, experimenting in the kitchen, or writing at her blog. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Wisdom 7:7-11 I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. I preferred her to scepter and throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her, nor did I liken any priceless gem to her; because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand, and before her, silver is to be accounted mire. Beyond health and comeliness I loved her, and I chose to have her rather than the light, because the splendor of her never yields to sleep. Yet all good things together came to me in her company, and countless riches at her hands. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17 R. (14) Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy! Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy! Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. Make us glad, for the days when you afflicted us, for the years when we saw evil. R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy! Let your work be seen by your servants and your glory by their children; and may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours; prosper the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands! R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy! Second Reading: Hebrews 4:12-13 Brothers and sisters: Indeed the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. Gospel: Mark 10:17-30 As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother." He replied and said to him, "Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth." Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God." Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come." NAB I couldn’t sit down today until I had cleaned up the kitchen and done something the piles that were mounting on the counter. The dishes in the sink, the paper threatening to slide onto the floor, they pulled my mind away from my spiritual task and blinded me from what I was called to do. Sit in peace, pray, reflect, and write the words for you. I often keep myself just one or to duties away from the Word. I am distracted by the gifts and true blessings that God has bestowed. My children, my spouse, our home, our family, our friends—these are my riches, but these are also the very wealth that sometimes prevents me from growing closer to our Lord. I have a closet of ‘stuff’ that I need to sort and the pantry that overflows and needs to be organized. I have seeds that I need to plant and garden hoses to replace. Lunches that were forgotten need to be delivered and quick trips to the library need to be made. It is easy to tell myself that I am simply trying to live my vocation as wife and mother to its fullest, but if I am too busy with the distractions of this life to sit and read His word, then I am like that rich man. I am turning my back on time with our Lord in order to sort socks, or return my sister’s phone call, or make an extravagant dinner. Giving up our homes, our family, our lives for the sake of the Gospel can be done in little ways every day. Forsaking these riches for Him can be as simple as dedicating one day a week for daily Mass before embarking on our worldly tasks, or having coffee with the Lord while we read His word rather than while we clean up the breakfast mess. Putting our Lord first doesn’t have to mean turning your back on your vocations, your relationships, and those you love, but it does mean giving God time first. Let's put God first, give Him your day, give Him your love, give him your thoughts and prayers, your hands, hearts and mind. [bctt tweet="Let's put God first, give Him your day, give Him your love, your hands, hearts, + mind."] What distracts you from growing closer to our Lord? What are your riches that keep you from following Him each day? How can you make your relationship with God your priority today? photo by Susana Starbuck MaryRuth Hackett is a full-time wife and mother doing her best to teach her four children to love God and country. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Joel 4:12-21 Thus says the LORD: Let the nations bestir themselves and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there will I sit in judgment upon all the neighboring nations. Apply the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; Come and tread, for the wine press is full; The vats overflow, for great is their malice. Crowd upon crowd in the valley of decision; For near is the day of the LORD in the valley of decision. Sun and moon are darkened, and the stars withhold their brightness. The LORD roars from Zion, and from Jerusalem raises his voice; The heavens and the earth quake, but the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the children of Israel. Then shall you know that I, the LORD, am your God, dwelling on Zion, my holy mountain; Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall pass through her no more. And then, on that day, the mountains shall drip new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk; And the channels of Judah shall flow with water: A fountain shall issue from the house of the LORD, to water the Valley of Shittim. Egypt shall be a waste, and Edom a desert waste, Because of violence done to the people of Judah, because they shed innocent blood in their land. But Judah shall abide forever, and Jerusalem for all generations. I will avenge their blood, and not leave it unpunished. The LORD dwells in Zion. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12 R. (12a) Rejoice in the Lord, you just! The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. Clouds and darkness are round about him, justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the LORD of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! Gospel: Luke 11:27-28 While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” NAB I think it's a fairly common misconception among non-Catholics that we worship Mary. Heck, growing up in the faith, I even thought that we prayed to Mary asking for her to work in my life in some way. But, that's just not how it goes. Instead, we are called to venerate Mary—or treat her with respect and reverence, and we ask her to pray FOR us much like we might ask a deceased relative to do the same. The difference is Mary is the mother of God, so you know, she has an "in" with the Man himself. Imagine how willing Jesus is to listen to the petitions of His own mother. Today's Gospel was incredibly short, but it did touch on this issue of worshiping Mary. A woman from the crowd calls out to Jesus praising His mother: "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed." But He responds, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." And you know who that word is, right? Jesus is the Word made flesh. We are called to ultimately worship and obey Him. Many of us women have a strong devotion to Mary. Remember, too, it's important to take a step back occasionally and ensure we also have ample conversations with Jesus directly. Mary is an example beyond compare, but what she really wants is for us to go through her to form a relationship with Jesus. She loves her son and wants us to feel the same way. Remember also to take time to speak directly with Jesus. Close your eyes and imagine sitting next to Him while you hand over your worries, express your desires, and profess your love. photo credit Jenna Hines has teeny army of three children and is married to a bearded fellow named Mike. A former high school English teacher, she now stays at home where she blogs and runs a crafty embroidery business. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Joel 1:13-15;2:1-2 Gird yourselves and weep, O priests! wail, O ministers of the altar! Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God! The house of your God is deprived of offering and libation. Proclaim a fast, call an assembly; Gather the elders, all who dwell in the land, Into the house of the LORD, your God, and cry to the LORD! Alas, the day! for near is the day of the LORD, and it comes as ruin from the Almighty. Blow the trumpet in Zion, sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; Yes, it is near, a day of darkness and of gloom, a day of clouds and somberness! Like dawn spreading over the mountains, a people numerous and mighty! Their like has not been from of old, nor will it be after them, even to the years of distant generations. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 9:2-3, 6 AND 16, 8-9 R. (9) The Lord will judge the world with justice. I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will declare all your wondrous deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, Most High. R. The Lord will judge the world with justice. You rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; their name you blotted out forever and ever. The nations are sunk in the pit they have made; in the snare they set, their foot is caught. R. The Lord will judge the world with justice. But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has set up his throne for judgment. He judges the world with justice; he governs the peoples with equity. R. The Lord will judge the world with justice. Gospel: Luke 11:15-26 When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. “When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.” NAB Do you ever feel like you’ve come to a standstill in your spiritual life? You’re not backsliding or falling into major sin, but you’re not moving forward either. You’re just staying the same. I had an instance very recently where I felt this way. I didn’t think that the things I was doing, the way I was choosing to spend my time, the shows I was watching, the conversations I was having, were harming my spiritual life. But I also knew they weren’t bringing me any closer to God. It was a trip to the confessional that woke me up to the reality that in the Christian life there’s no such thing as neutral. You are either progressing or regressing, and each day you need to decide which it’s going to be. Today’s Gospel reminds us of the same thing. In Luke chapter 11:23 Jesus says, “Whoever is not with me is against me.” We are given two options with no middle ground. We must decide who we are standing with. Because ultimately, either we are with Christ or choosing the path toward the Devil. Jesus also draws the illustration of the demon who is driven out, but then brings back more demons to fill the same person again. We can clean up our spiritual houses and put things in order, but if we are not constantly filling ourselves up with the things of God then we leave room for the enemy to take a foothold. My dear sisters, this Christian life we are called to requires constant vigilance and demands our undivided hearts and minds. That TV show, that set of friends, or that habit you can’t seem to kick, may not seem that bad, but if it’s not drawing you to the things of Christ, then little by little it’s chipping away at His place in your heart. It may be hard to get rid of these things, but no one said following Jesus was going to be easy. In fact, Jesus himself warned us it’s going to be hard when he said “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Every day we must choose to follow Jesus, again. The result is a relationship with Him that is alive and thriving, and that makes all the sacrifice worth it. [bctt tweet="Every day we must choose to follow Jesus, again."] Lord, help me always make room for you in my life. Fill me up with the things of you. Anna Coyne is a wife, mother, knitter, gardener, and convert to the Catholic faith. Read more about her here.

First Reading: Malachi 3:13-20B You have defied me in word, says the LORD, yet you ask, “What have we spoken against you?” You have said, “It is vain to serve God, and what do we profit by keeping his command, And going about in penitential dress in awe of the LORD of hosts? Rather must we call the proud blessed; for indeed evildoers prosper, and even tempt God with impunity.” Then they who fear the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened attentively; And a record book was written before him of those who fear the LORD and trust in his name. And they shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, my own special possession, on the day I take action. And I will have compassion on them, as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. Then you will again see the distinction between the just and the wicked; Between the one who serves God, and the one who does not serve him. For lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, And the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the LORD of hosts. But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6 R. (Ps 40:5a) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night. R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. He is like a tree planted near running water, That yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. For the LORD watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. Gospel: Luke 11:5-13 Jesus said to his disciples: “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” NAB I do not have the weight of the world on my shoulders. I do NOT have the weight of the world on my shoulders. I DO NOT HAVE the weight of the world on my shoulders! This has become a little mantra of mine lately. As a busy student, new mother, and wife—I was emboldened with the idea that I can do it all, that I am a superwoman. I believe that not only should I do it all, but that I could do it all. There was always room to squeeze in one more load of dishes, one more study session, one more homemade dessert. Well, that worked all of two seconds. There I was, a wife, a student, and a mother—how did that happen? I was falsely empowered by this idea of doing it all. And you know what suffered? All of it. Doing it all is a myth. I am not Atlas—punished to hold up the sky for eternity—I am the daughter of our Lord. All I have to do is ask for help and I will receive. That is all. I just needed to loosen the reigns—ask for help. Just ask. If you are anything like me, it is almost easier to take on the world and burden myself than to ask for help to lighten my load. Call it pride, call it guilt, whatever it is, it is not what the Lord wants for us. "For everyone who asks, receives . . . ." His arms are waiting for me. He is waiting to lighten my load. Because unlike Atlas, punished for his betrayal of Zeus, Jesus knowingly and with free choice allowed Himself to be hung on that cross to actually carry the weight of the world’s sins. One hundred percent truth. No myths over here. Are you willing to seek? Are you willing to find? [bctt tweet="Are you willing to seek? Are you willing to find?"] photo by Madi Myers-Cook Repeat after me. You do not have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Samantha Aguinaldo-Wetterholm is a wife, mom, and dentist currently living in San Francisco, California. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Jonah 4:1-11 Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry that God did not carry out the evil he threatened against Nineveh. He prayed, “I beseech you, LORD, is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I fled at first to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, rich in clemency, loathe to punish. And now, LORD, please take my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.” But the LORD asked, “Have you reason to be angry?” Jonah then left the city for a place to the east of it, where he built himself a hut and waited under it in the shade, to see what would happen to the city. And when the LORD God provided a gourd plant that grew up over Jonah’s head, giving shade that relieved him of any discomfort, Jonah was very happy over the plant. But the next morning at dawn God sent a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. And when the sun arose, God sent a burning east wind; and the sun beat upon Jonah’s head till he became faint. Then Jonah asked for death, saying, “I would be better off dead than alive.” But God said to Jonah, “Have you reason to be angry over the plant?” “I have reason to be angry,” Jonah answered, “angry enough to die.” Then the LORD said, “You are concerned over the plant which cost you no labor and which you did not raise; it came up in one night and in one night it perished. And should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot distinguish their right hand from their left, not to mention the many cattle?” Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 86:3-4, 5-6, 9-10 R. (15) Lord, you are merciful and gracious. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for to you I call all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. R. Lord, you are merciful and gracious. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in kindness to all who call upon you. Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my pleading. R. Lord, you are merciful and gracious. All the nations you have made shall come and worship you, O Lord, and glorify your name. For you are great, and you do wondrous deeds; you alone are God. R. Lord, you are merciful and gracious. Gospel: Luke 11:1-4 Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” NAB “Gladden the soul of your servant . . .” Isn’t this beautiful and hopeful and expectant and pleading all at once? It could be a great day, or a horrible day, and these words fit. Oh, Lord, gladden my soul! Make me happy and joyful. Increase your gladness in my soul and my life. The Psalm and the words in the Gospel today increase my wonder at prayer. Jesus gives us the words to use in prayer. When we pray these words, we give glory and honor to God. We plead for the day’s needs, and we lift our souls to God. When I sit with the words of the Psalm and the Gospel today, the amazing words from Scripture create a more beautiful picture and understanding of prayer for me. Today is also the beautiful memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. Is the Rosary part of your prayer life yet? Has it been, but you’ve fallen out of the habit of picking up the beads? Are you just unsure about praying to Mary? Make today a day that you try it for the first time, or reacquaint yourself with our Blessed Mother. You can’t possibly fail with your heart in the right place, when you “lift up your soul,” and when you pray the Lord’s Prayer within the Rosary. “Give us this day . . . .” Jesus is listening! He’s so happy you are making an effort. And His Mother? You better believe she is thrilled to bits to have us, her spiritual children, coming to her in childlike, hopeful faith so that she can pray with us and lead us more closely to her Son. That is what the Rosary is about! Mary leads us to Jesus, through our contemplating stories of His life with her. Just try! Let her show you more about Jesus as you meditate even on one mystery while you pray. We have so much available to us to aid us our prayers today, how can we possibly go wrong or falter? The disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray, and He delivers with the Lord’s Prayer. The yearning of the Psalmist, and then the memorial for Our Lady of the Rosary, remind us to pick up the beads and ask Mary to pray with us. [bctt tweet="Oh, Lord, gladden my soul! Make me happy and joyful."] This feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is a perfect time to renew prayer habits. Start with the Psalm, and add a decade of the Rosary to your prayer time. Let Mary's love and motherly care draw you closer to her Son. photo by Corynne Olivia Gina Fensterer is a wife, daughter, mother, friend, homeschooling mama and Colorado native. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Jonah 3:1-10 The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you.” So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh, according to the LORD’s bidding. Now Nineveh was an enormously large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day’s walk announcing, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,” when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes. Then he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his nobles: “Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; every man shall turn from his evil way and from the violence he has in hand. Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish.” When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 130:1B-2, 3-4AB, 7-8 R. (3) If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD LORD, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication. R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? If you, O LORD, mark iniquities, LORD, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? Let Israel wait for the LORD, For with the LORD is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption; And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities. R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? Gospel: Luke 10:38-42 Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” NAB I am never eager to hear this Gospel message. I think it is because I find so much of myself in Martha. Now, she is a saint, and I am not . . . so not that comparison, but the one in which I see myself in the busy realm of day-to-day life. I can just imagine myself getting ready for a meeting with my Savior. While deep down I would know it was time to adequately prepare my heart for His arrival, I have a feeling I would be preparing my home instead. I would want to prepare a delicious meal, clean every square inch of my home, make sure my children were on their best behavior, and tend to His every need. I would essentially want everything to be immaculately presentable. And, while I’m being honest, I would want my sister’s help with it all. For me, the busy-ness would be a reflection of the importance of the occasion, and her simply sitting at His feet would infuriate me. Can you tell I’ve got a long way to go spiritually? "[Y]ou are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.” Only. One. Thing. And, that is Him. So, why? Why do I hear this passage multiple times a year and still struggle with my ability to let go of all the “things” and simply be in His presence? Why can I never seem to just be still and be His? Why am I a modern-day Martha? Because I care. In a different way than Mary cared, yes, but I still care. I want to be the very best I can possibly be . . . in my vocation, my daily life, and in the presence of my God. Yet, sometimes I care about the wrong things. Do you, too? It isn’t wrong to care—in fact, it is a blessing in so many ways. But, today, as a start, what if we care more about the inside . . . about the state of our soul . . . the only thing that our Lord truly cares about. Let’s take one from Mary’s book and simply be with Him . . . in the midst of the craziness, the messy home, the misbehaved children, and the leftover meal. Let go of the worry, and embrace the peace that comes when our focus is on the need of “only one thing.” Him. [bctt tweet="Let’s take one from Mary’s book and simply be with Him."] Put it all away today, if only for five minutes, and seek Him fully. Britt Fisk is the wife of Jeremy and mother of four young kids. She spends her days living simply in the-middle-of-nowhere-New Mexico helping with the family beef cattle operation. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Jonah 1:1–2:1-2, 11 This is the word of the LORD that came to Jonah, son of Amittai: “Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it; their wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah made ready to flee to Tarshish away from the LORD. He went down to Joppa, found a ship going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and went aboard to journey with them to Tarshish, away from the LORD. The LORD, however, hurled a violent wind upon the sea, and in the furious tempest that arose the ship was on the point of breaking up. Then the mariners became frightened and each one cried to his god. To lighten the ship for themselves, they threw its cargo into the sea. Meanwhile, Jonah had gone down into the hold of the ship, and lay there fast asleep. The captain came to him and said, “What are you doing asleep? Rise up, call upon your God! Perhaps God will be mindful of us so that we may not perish.” Then they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots to find out on whose account we have met with this misfortune.” So they cast lots, and thus singled out Jonah. “Tell us,” they said, “what is your business? Where do you come from? What is your country, and to what people do you belong?” Jonah answered them, “I am a Hebrew, I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” Now the men were seized with great fear and said to him, “How could you do such a thing!– They knew that he was fleeing from the LORD, because he had told them.– They asked, “What shall we do with you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea was growing more and more turbulent. Jonah said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea, that it may quiet down for you; since I know it is because of me that this violent storm has come upon you.” Still the men rowed hard to regain the land, but they could not, for the sea grew ever more turbulent. Then they cried to the LORD: “We beseech you, O LORD, let us not perish for taking this man’s life; do not charge us with shedding innocent blood, for you, LORD, have done as you saw fit.” Then they took Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea’s raging abated. Struck with great fear of the LORD, the men offered sacrifice and made vows to him. But the LORD sent a large fish, that swallowed Jonah; and Jonah remained in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. From the belly of the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD, his God. Then the LORD commanded the fish to spew Jonah upon the shore. Responsorial Psalm: Jonah 2:3, 4, 5, 8 R. You will rescue my life from the pit, O Lord. Out of my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me; From the midst of the nether world I cried for help, and you heard my voice. R. You will rescue my life from the pit, O Lord. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the sea, and the flood enveloped me; All your breakers and your billows passed over me. R. You will rescue my life from the pit, O Lord. Then I said, “I am banished from your sight! yet would I again look upon your holy temple.” R. You will rescue my life from the pit, O Lord. When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; My prayer reached you in your holy temple. R. You will rescue my life from the pit, O Lord. Gospel: Luke 10:25-37 There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” NAB In today's reading, Jonah receives the word from the Lord and immediately makes ready. Makes ready to flee, that is! To flee away from the Lord! I wonder why Jonah so quickly ran away from God. I'm wondering if he heard "Nineveh" and thought, "Heck no, no way I'm going there!" I wonder if he thought, "There's no way I'm doing that! I'm no preacher!" Maybe he was afraid of the city, the people there, or maybe he feared failure. Maybe he was unforgiving and didn't want God to have mercy on that city. Regardless, Jonah fled "away from the Lord," but it's not so effective to try to run away from God. We all know the story, but what I'm most struck by is Jonah's prayer of thanksgiving, which we read as today's Psalm, that he prays while still in the belly of the fish! Jonah prays to God in anticipation for saving his life, thanking God and praising Him for rescuing him which God had not yet completely done at the time Jonah was making that prayer! (I don't know if I'd be so grateful to God if I were being digested by a fish/whale for even three seconds . . .) And yet it is Jonah's faith and confidence that he knows God will save him that is a witness to us. It is a very powerful form of prayer to confidently thank and praise God for His mercy in our lives even before He has worked those miracles in us. I think that kind of prayer greatly pleases God's heart. Jonah may have run away from the Lord, but he sure knew how to pray and he sure knew how to allow his life experiences to bring him conversion! Jonah's story is a story of God's mercy. It is a story of compassion like the story of the Good Samaritan in today's Gospel. Through the sacraments, it is Jesus who is our Good Samaritan who pours wine and oil over us, and bandages up our wounds. God can and will use all of our life experiences for good, whether it is our sins of turning away from God like Jonah, or our wounds from others or from life experiences like the man in the Gospel. God is writing a beautiful story with you. What's your story? [bctt tweet="God is writing a beautiful story with you. What's your story?"] What is the story of God's mercy in your life? How can you give thanks and praise today for His deliverance? Can you dare to praise and thank God in anticipation for the miracles He has not yet worked in your life? Mary Catherine Craige is a lover of creativity and learning new things. When she is not guiding the development of young children through Montessori methods, you can find her behind her harp, taking an art class, or writing silly poems. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Genesis 2:18-24 The LORD God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him." So the LORD God formed out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man. So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, the man said: "This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called 'woman,' for out of 'her man’ this one has been taken." That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6 R. (cf. 5) May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives. Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored. R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; your children like olive plants around your table. R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives. Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion: may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives. May you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel! R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives. Second Reading: Hebrews 2:9-11 Brothers and sisters: He "for a little while" was made "lower than the angels, " that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers.” Gospel: Mark 10:2-16 The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?" They replied, "Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them. NAB Ever since I was a little girl, and we had this awesome picture Catholic Bible that we kids would tussle over (looked just like a series of comics! But we were allowed to peruse during Mass!), this last passage where Christ talks about being like a child to enter the Kingdom blew my mind. I was a child. But how could I have entry over all the adults in front of me, in charge of me? How could a little girl with a penchant for "feeling sick" right around mass time Sunday morning be the sort of person God wanted in the Kingdom? This incredulity grew over time. As I matured and aged and studied Scripture in various classes throughout school, this passage always hung on to me. Clung to a part of me. As much as I wanted to believe that little children would lead, despite so limited a capacity for understanding anything of great import, like how to get to Heaven, it just seemed overly simplistic. Plus, I was a young adult and how could God be asking me to go backwards in life? I was done being a kid, right? In my 20's, whenever this passage was the reading for Mass or I read it during private devotions, I accepted some sort of surface triteness about it—be like a child and be full of wonder and without malice and just love—got it. Now that I'm so old and wise (ha!) in my 30's and have little kids of my own and am surrounded by nieces and nephews and friends' little children, I feel this passage so differently. The children in my life love hard. They love fiercely. They are all in. Their loyalty cannot be shaken. Their passions cannot be diverted. That sports team (in our case, the Twins forever and ever). That doll. That grilled cheese sandwich. That need to go potty right at the consecration. They are unswerving and steadfast. How can I, as an adult, love like that? How can I love the Lord my God with my whole heart, whole strength, and whole mind? How can I be like a child and accept the Kingdom? By paring away my selfishness. By paring away my greed. By paring away my desires. And making room to be filled up with God's love. [bctt tweet="How can I be like a child and accept the Kingdom? By paring away my selfishness."] Go to Confession. Receive Holy Communion. Attend a Holy Hour. Avail yourself to His graces. Ask for love and you'll receive it. Nell O'Leary is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom to three lovelies. She and her husband live in the great city of Saint Paul. You can find out more about her here.